Solar Cooking Update
Thanks to donations from Harold Boyanovsky and Case New Holland, Geraldine Brosy (in
memory of Del Bassett) and Margaret Retz (in memory of Rob R. Retz), LUA will
shortly send $3,600 to our partner Solar Cookers International (EA) to support four new
solar cooking projects, including our first projects in northern Tanzania.

LUA's First Annual
Report
Lift Up Africa will
publish its first annual report shortly. The report will include LUA's 2008
accomplishments and an overview of our income and expenses for the year. It will also show a breakdown funds
expenditures between program, administration and fundraising. The report will be available to the public on LUA's website at www.liftupafrica.org in February.

2009 LUA Travel
Rick Levy, Lolo
Levy, and Linda Alband are going to Kenya and northern Tanzania in May. Joined
by Larry Donahoo and Sam Muinde, LUA Board members who live in Kenya, they will
meet with partner organizations and other contacts. They will also make site
visits to our current projects and visit other projects that could serve as
models for future LUA endeavors. LUA News #5 (Summer 2009) will include a report
on their trip.

Issue #3

Winter 2009

Jambo ,

Here's the latest issue of LUA News, Lift Up Africa's newsletter.

Do you have friends or
colleagues who might appreciate learning about our efforts to help Africa's people lift themselves into self-sufficiency? If so, it's easy to forward this issue using the link at the bottom of the page.

Asante (thank you) and enjoy!

KMC Sponsors
Community Sporting Events

With
funding provided by LUA, in 2007 KMC (Kaliluni Medical Centre) President Sam Muinde (LUA's Vice
President) began developing soccer clubs as part of KMC's community outreach
program. Seventeen teams from the various Iveti Hills soccer clubs showed up for
the first tournament. Community elders, the local chief and his assistant
chiefs, and many other people attended. At the event, said Sam, "speeches were
given in appreciation for what we are trying to do for the youth of the various
communities. Every speaker also talked about the KMC project."

In 2007 no tournament
winner was declared. A dispute that no official could resolve broke out over a
penalty. At that time, Sam, in his capacity of patron, officially called the
match off by raising the trophy high for all to see and announcing that "no
winner would be declared until the 2008 tournament."

In its second season,
22 teams registered -- 5 more than in 2007. Through competition, these 22 were
winnowed down to the top four teams. On August 17, 2008, they played for the
championship with 5,000 people in attendance. The area's Member of Parliament
(MOP) sent her representative who, while addressing the crowd, singled Sam out as a worthy leader who has
brought electricity, a hospital, and running water to his community. The
Hollywood Stars, a team made up of KMC's workers, won the tournament. "No favor
was given. The Hollywood Stars played well and won with dignity," Sam said, adding that "all participating teams received a premium soccer
ball regardless of how well they had played."

In
addition to the soccer tournament, Sam and KMC also sponsor an annual marathon
that brings participants from all over Kenya to Kaliluni. The Great Kwa Solo
Market Marathon, now in its sixth year, is held each April and draws an average
8,000 people. The marathon is held at the Kwa Solo Market on the KMC building
site. Marathon participants vary in age from 7 years up.Both males and females participate. The marathons
offer races of different distances based on age group and sex. Its final race --
a 200 meter course -- is for runners 65 years old or older. "This is usually
the most exciting race because we have had men and women participate who are
over 80 years old. Cash
awards are given to the top 10 winners in each category, so we have many
winners and that is why the marathon draws many people," Sam concluded.

Initially, Sam was
the sole sponsor of the event. "In the third year I began soliciting some
sponsors from my friends and community leaders. At first the people did not
understand the idea of sponsorship. But in the last two years I advertised the
Marathon as a community event, giving the community ownership," said Sam. Since then,
sponsorships have grown. Last year the community sponsors contributed KES
67,000 (roughly $1,000 US) or about 82% of the prize money. And close to 80 volunteers helped organize the marathon.

KMC Sponsors Solar Cooking Demonstrations

On June 21, 2008, KMC
hosted a solar cooking demonstration at the hospital site, which is about 9,000
feet above sea level. "The weather was very much uncooperative, as it remained
overcast all day," reported Sam Muinde, KMC President and LUA Vice President. Due
to the altitude, good sunlight is only
available about seven months out of the year, so "the SCI (Solar Cookers
International) team ... simply talked and demonstrated the CooKits, a lightweight
panel-style solar cooker ... The people were very much impressed. We had well
over 100 people show up. Late in the afternoon we had brief sunshine and were
able to cook some rice. The SCI team showed the people how to keep it warm in
the insulated baskets," said Sam. "Everyone
was impressed," he concluded.
A second
demonstration was held on August 16, 2008 when the weather was sunnier. Funding for this event was provided by the family Dr. Tom Hallquist, a member of the Oshkosh, WI Rotary Club. "Well over 200 people
attended including community leaders, church leaders, local people, and many
students," Sam reports. "SCI staff again conducted the demonstration at which we
cooked about 20 dishes using solar power. It was amazing to all of us. The
people were delighted and many of them were ready to by the CooKits." A grant from the Hallquists will help
subsidize the cost solar cooking materials. This will allow many local people to
purchase the equipment.

Please support Lift Up Africa's critical efforts to help African people by making a secure on-line donation.

Because LUA's Board pays for all administrative expenses, 100% of every dollar we raise goes directly to help African people.

Asante (thank you)!

Lift Up Africa is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Our tax ID is 74-3116756.